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Abstract
Tunnels are underground constructions used for transportations. The features, advantages,
disadvantage and methods of tunneling in construction is discussed. The tunnel engineering is
one of the most interesting disciplines in engineering. The work is complex and difficult
throughout its course, even though it is interesting. The tunnels are defined as the underground
passages that are used for the transportation purposes. These permit the transmission of
passengers and freights, or it may be for the transportation of utilities like water, sewage or gas
etc.The operations and the constructions are carried out underground without disturbing the
ground surface. This operation is called as the tunneling.
equipment were flourished, that made the tunneling process more feasible. The tunneling, work
better for different approaches under different circumstances. It is hence dependent on the
experience and the knowledge of the engineer. Mainly the tunneling works are carried out by the
civil engineers. This discipline will let us know, that the knowledge on structural and concrete
technology is not sufficient. An equal and thorough skill and knowledge on geology, mechanical
engineering, geomechanics and the new construction technologies are also essential.
Advantages of Tunneling
●The tunneling method gain certain advantages compared with other methods, which are
mentioned below:
●The tunneling procedure is more economical in nature, compared to open cut trench method
when the depth is beyond a limit
●The surface life or ground activities like transportation are not disturbed when tunneling is
undergone.
●These methods have freedom from snow and iceberg hazards, in areas of high altitudes
●Provision of tunnels with easy gradients, help in reducing the cost of hauling
●For the transportation of public utilities, tunneling method has a remarkable advantage
compared to the bridge.
●The dangerous open cut to a nearby structure, when it is needed, is solved by the tunneling
method
●The tunneling grant greater protection in aerial warfare and bombing conditions
Tunneling Disadvantages
The tunneling method gains certain disadvantages, which is due to its complexity and difficulty.
Some of them are:
●The initial investment cost for commencing the tunnel is high compared to the open cut
method.
●Highly skilled and experienced designers and engineer team only will work best for this
operation.
●Higher and constant supervision from the start to the end of the tunneling project is necessary
without any compromise
●Highly sophisticated and specialized equipment are necessary to perform the tunneling
operations.
a) Open cuts are found very costly at deep cutting for soil with varying nature and slopes. This
method will account for the large volume of excavation, which is costly. At this situation,
tunneling method will bring more economy than the open cuts.
b) When the material of drilling is rock, open cut performs well with less amount of excavation
and finds cheaper. While tunneling method is found difficult to show its activity.
c) Based on the requirement of material for nearby filling, an open cut method can be suggested,
but the tunneling is found comparatively economical in working. For depth of cutting greater
than 60 feet, the method of tunneling is always recommended.
●The best and economical alignment was chosen must be straight in nature
●Tunnel should have a grade, which is less than the outside. It is observed that in the railway
tunnels, constant slipping of the wheels takes place due to the wetness of the rails. This reduces
the hauling capacity of the locomotives.
●When it comes to long tunnels, two grades at the either ends must be provided (That rise from
each end then towards the center as shown in figure-3).
●If the grade is provided on one side, instead of either side, the effectiveness of ventilation can
be increased.
Reference:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/tunnel
2. https://theconstructor.org/tunnel/types-of-tunnel/966